Obituary

Referee Thomas Martin Hyllegaard Passes Unexpectedly at Age 37

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (August 25) -- We are sad to announce the sudden death of United World Wrestling category I referee, Thomas Martin Hyllegaard, who was taken from us Saturday, August 22.

Thomas lived his early years in the Danish city of Frederikshavn, where he started wrestling at the age of 10. His life has since revolved around wrestling. As a young man, he was wrestling in the Danish Capitol city of Copenhagen while attending the Danish Police academy.

In 2008, Thomas attended the quadrennial European Games for Police officers, where he placed 7th. He took up refereeing the same year which he excelled at, quickly reaching the top tiers of international refereeing. Thomas stood firm at his goal – he wished to referee at the Olympic Games.

He worked tirelessly for the advancement of the Danish referees. Thomas led a successful campaign recruiting young referees as well as conveying and translating the latest rules from United World Wrestling.

Thomas is survived by his wife and two young sons, ages 8 and 6.

#WrestleCasablanca

Abdellatif leads Egypt to Greco team title with 8th African gold

By Vinay Siwach

CASABLANCA, Morocco (May 3) — Mohamed ABDELLATIF (EGY) scored three technical superiority wins to win the 130kg and lead Egypt to the Greco-Roman team title at the African Championships in convincing fashion.

Egypt won seven gold and three silver medals to emerge as the best team with 235 points. Hosts Morocco didn’t win any gold but had three silver and six bronze medals to overtake Algeria for the second position with 160 points. Algeria finished third with 125 points, thanks to three golds and other medals.

World bronze medalist Abdellatif won his eighth African Championships gold medal without dropping a point in Casablanca. He defeated Wissam KOUAINSO (MAR) in Round 1, Joel TUKAI (KEN) in Round 2 and tossed around Issah FUSEINI (GHA) in Round 3. He just spent only 2 minutes and 39 seconds on the mat.

That was the final gold for Egypt on Saturday. The gold rush began when Ahmed ALY (EGY) stunned Adem LAMLOUM (TUN) 10-0 in the 55kg final. It was better result than the one when they met in the first round. Aly won the first bout 10-6.

At 60kg, Ahmed SHABAN (EGY) won four bouts in dominant fashion to clinch the gold medal. 

Women’s Wrestling

Medals in five weight classes of Women’s Wrestling were also awarded on Saturday.

Nigeria won four of the five gold medals on offer as Mercy ADEKOUROYE (NGR) became a late withdrawal from the 57kg competition.

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD: Ahmed ALY (EGY) df. Adem LAMLOUM (TUN), 10-0

BRONZE: Ayoub SBETE (MAR) df. Bofenda KALUWEKO (ANG), via fall (11-10)

60kg
GOLD: Ahmed SHABAN (EGY)
SILVER: Mouad JAHID (MAR)
BRONZE: Rabby KILANDI (COD)

63kg
GOLD: Mohamed DRIDI (ALG)
SILVER: Youssef MOHAMED (EGY)
BRONZE: Mouncif MESROUR (MAR)

67kg
GOLD: Mohamed ABDELREHIM (EGY) df. Ishak GHAIOU (ALG), 2-0

BRONZE: Oussama NASR (TUN) df. Roland KALAMBAYI (COD), 9-6

72kg
GOLD: Mohamed IBRAHIM (EGY) df. Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG), 3-1

BRONZE: Walid TALBI (MAR) df. Nkosinathi MASHININI (RSA), 9-0
BRONZE: Yamine ATCHIBA (BEN) df. Norvil BUKASA (COD), 7-7

77kg
GOLD: Yehia ABDELKADER (EGY)
SILVER: Radhwen TARHOUNI (TUN)
BRONZE: Souhaib KHDAR (MAR)

82kg
GOLD: Abd OUAKALI (ALG) df. Mohamed DYAB (EGY), 11-3

BRONZE: Elias CHIGUER (MAR) df. Andy MUKENDI (COD), via fall (7-4)

87kg
GOLD: Bachir SID AZARA (ALG)
SILVER: Mahmoud IBRAHIM (EGY)
BRONZE: Wadii OUALAL (MAR)

97kg
GOLD: Mohamed GABR (EGY)
SILVER: Hamza BOUMADIENE (MAR)
BRONZE: Barthelemy TSHOSHA (COD)

130kg
GOLD: Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY)
SILVER: Wissam KOUAINSO (MAR)
BRONZE: Issah FUSEINI (GHA)

Women's Wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV), 11-0

BRONZE: Chahrazed AYACHI (TUN) df. Zineb ECH CHABKI (TUN), 8-6
BRONZE: Sama MAHMOUD (EGY) df. Matilda KOKERA (RSA), via fall

57kg
GOLD: Chaimaa AOUISSI (ALG) df. Chaima DAHI (TUN), via fall

BRONZE: Mamy RASOANOMENJANAHARY (MAD) df. Mercy ADEKUOROYE (NGR), via walkover

62kg
GOLD: Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) df. Farah HUSSEIN (EGY), 10-0

BRONZE: Nawel BAHLOUL (ALG) df. Safietou GOUDIABY (SEN), 8-1

68kg
GOLD: Hannah RUEBEN (NGR)
SILVER: Mariam MESBAH (EGY)
BRONZE: Saadia ET TAMMAR (MAR)

76kg
GOLD: Damola OJO (NGR)
SILVER: Amy YOUIN (CIV)
BRONZE: Rayhana BENREZIK (MAR)